Are you getting noticed?
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Every week countless business-based stories are published online by SME’s cleverly utilising this cost-effective way to reach millions of potential customers, worldwide.
PR online – the ultimate link builder
Go to Amazon and you’ll find any number of books on PR and publicity - mainly geared to print media. However most of the same techniques can work equally well online, with very few modifications. For a start, it pays to be up to speed with what’s being written about your industry, both online and in newspapers and trade magazines. Keep a look out for anything happening in your business that could be newsworthy. Success stories for instance, or news about new products and services can all be given an interesting angle, which helps generate business and keeps your name to the fore.
Top tips for getting free publicity
- Make sure your website is mentioned in any printed PR story so that potential customers can search your name online. Don’t forget to try and get a direct link to your site in all online stories.
- Note the industry bloggers. They’re constantly scanning the news for stories to write about or websites to recommend. This is a great way to get masses of extra coverage plus links without even asking for them.
- Remember that stories get spread not only by journalists and bloggers but also by people using bookmarking and recommendation sites. One good story shared among online readers can result in an amazing amount of business.
- Because success breeds success, online journalists are more likely to trust your press releases and write about you if you have already been featured in reputable offline media.
- All the links you get via media coverage will help your search engine ratings because Google is likely to regard them as ‘authority links’ already verified by an editor or reputable journalist. This all adds to your credibility.
How to get noticed
- Be different and topical. This is easier than it seems because every week there are
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there are hundreds of stories in print, and journalists are always looking for ideas. Read some of the articles, then work out why they’re interesting and how you could give your story a newsworthy twist. Write a great press release and send it to your targeted journalists. Start with a punchy headline and include all the relevant facts about who did what, where and to whom in your story, including quotes if possible. Don’t miss the opportunity to name your products or services and any awards you’ve won. Plus your contact details, of course.
- Pinpoint the journalists who specialise in your industry by searching Google news using relevant keywords.
- Check out good stories and see how they’ve been covered, both online and in the industry press. Note any writers you favour, or buy contact lists of journalists.
- Be topical. Timing is all when it comes to news stories. Try to get your story tied in with a headline-grabbing event or a special season.
- Get Twittering! These days Twitter and social networking sites are hugely important sources of news and information. Think how you can link up references in your blogs, social media, website, enewsletters and PR activity and you could start an avalanche of new contacts and business opportunities.
- Use any media coverage you get as a testimonial – put links to your articles and flashes on your website highlighting your success.
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What you could win
You are automatically entered into our prize draw* to win an invaluable hour long consultation with Penny Haywood Calder – MD of PHPR Ltd which specialises in digital and traditional PR for businesses.
You’ll get some of the best professional advice available about using PR, marketing and sales techniques, all specially tailored to your business. It’s a fantastic opportunity for your business and can be arranged via Skype, landline or email.
PHPR was shortlisted for VIBES awards 2009, Scotland’s top environmental awards.
For help and advice about business technology systems and support simply call Admiral on 0845 270 5070
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| *Term & Conditions: Open to recipients of the Admiral newsletter – In touch. Closing date for entries 30th September. Prize is as stated. Winner will be draw from all valid email addresses entered 0n 15th October 2009. Winners surname and company will be available after 15th October 2009 by requests in writing to the promoter. Promoter: Admiral Business Solutions, Victory House, Chobham Street, Luton, Beds, LU1 3BS. |
[PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION]
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